The coast is clear now, but for a while there, Google's two-step verification system wasn't keeping you as safe as you thought. In fact, it was providing an avenue for folks to get in. App-specific passwords were propping your door open.

The exploit was found—and reported—by Duo Security, which is publishing its data now that Google has fixed things up. If you've enabled two-step (which you should), you know that using applications like Twitter or Facebook or Instagram often involves an app-specific password. Apps that don't just pass you to a Google login page and have you enter a phone-code will tell you to go get an app-specific password manually from your account page, and put that in.

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The logic behind having app-specific passwords is that you can disable access from certain apps—like all the apps on a stolen phone—without disturbing the rest. And that's great. The problem was, those manual app-specific passwords you put in weren't actually app-specific. Anyone could re-use any of those passwords to link a Google device (Android phone, Chromebook) to a Google account. From there, hackers could login to services with the device, strolling right on in to account settings without ever knowing the real password.

That's not a good situation, but fortunately it's been fixed. Ever since Feb 21st, anyone trying to get to account settings needs the real password. Convenience be damned. And even though this was a bit of a breach, it's worth noting that two-step wasn't making anything worse; in the absence of two-step, a thief with your app-specific password would just have had your real password instead. And they wouldn't have to know about the connect-a-device exploit to use it. Way worse.

You're safe for now, but it serves as a good reminder to keep up with those security best-practices. Clean out your app-specific passwords now and then, change your password occasionally, and beware auto-login features that make your life easier because chances are they're making it more insecure. Nothing's full-proof, but just try to stay safe out there. [Duo Security]